The Internet connection in your home is not the quiet good if the WiFi network does not offer enough power. One of the things you can do is install a WiFi repeater that increases the quality of signal. We want to explore what type of accessory you must include to proper functioning and models that meet those requirements.
The truth is that WiFi repeaters are an excellent solution to improve coverage in homes in a fairly simple way (more even than PLC devices, which carry the connection by the electrical installation of the place where they are used). These devices currently offer good performance, but there are some essential details that must be offered guaranteed quality and finally have efficient device.
Features that a WiFi repeater should always have
Next, we leave a list of the model you have in mind to buy so that once you start with the installation of the WiFi repeater, there are no negative surprises that lead to a malfunction or an unexpected incompatibility. These are the requirements:
Connectivity: here are two details that should always be reviewed. The first is that the model that is purchased is Dual Band, so if the 2.4 or 5 GHz bands are used in the router, the WiFi repeater always offers adequate compatibility. The second detail is that the connection speed offered is at least 300 Mb / s, so that certain access speed is adequate both to review web pages and to play.
Notification: there are several things to look at. The first is that the WiFi repeater itself includes LEDs that indicate quickly and visually if it is working correctly – or there is a connection problem. Additionally, it is important that there are applications for iOS and Android to check the installation site to locate a point with adequate coverage (this advances serves to configure the device easily).
Security: the basic thing is that the same options are offered to the router that is used, but to be sure that there will be no problem with practically none of the current ones, this is the minimum compatibility that the WiFi repeater must have: WEP, WPA and WPA2.
Other options: here we indicate possibilities that are not basic, but we do believe that they are highly recommended. An example is the compatibility with WPS, which allows simple installation with the press of a button (the router must also be compatible). In addition, if it is not there then the WiFi repeater has RJ-45 cable output, to optimize the use of devices with computers and consoles.
Best WiFi Extender Type
To start, it is necessary to know the type of WiFi repeater from the many that are in the market. Products ranging from the conventional and economical repeater to outdoor repeaters to have maximum coverage at high distances or double band models. So everything will depend on what we need both in terms of power and the need for coverage and connection.
Conventional repeaters have a general scope and suitable for general environments, with thin walls and spaces that are not too large. If the zones are very distant from each other or the router is far away, the most appropriate option would be use a model with PLC technology. Which allows the equipment to moved away without worrying about coverage. But if it’s about covering large spaces or outdoor areas, you can also count on models designed for this purpose. Anyway, we will discuss this aspect in greater detail in the next section coming article.
The outdoor repeaters provide us as a separate band capacity that the product can be connected with all the models. That we found either the possibility of connecting single band mode of 2.4 Ghz band, or dual mode with scope for both the 2.4 Ghz band and the 5 band Ghz.
This last option is the most recommended for most users, so that you have not worry about connecting to all types of devices and be already updated to this new technology. Although this also depends on what your internet service provider offers you.
Frequently asked questions: Advanced Tips for WiFi repeater
Q1: How to reset WiFi repeater?
The process of resetting a WiFi repeater can be executed in two ways. The first one is through the button or the reset function that the product may include. This is presented by a small button in generally, we must activate with a needle or similar.
The second option is by disconnecting the repeater from the current, so that it loses the stored configuration. Although in some cases, it is stored in the device memory, in that case it is require to repeat the first method that we have informed.
Q2: What is the difference between a WiFi repeater and a PLC?
The technology and functions of a WiFi repeater are different than PLC. The WiFi repeater takes the existing WiFi signal, or the network signal, to proceed to amplify it and increase the area in which the network has coverage. For its part, the PLC connection is the one that uses Power Line technology or electrical network to convert the light cables into network cables.
Therefore, the difference between the two technologies is clear. However, the difference is brief, given that some WiFi repeaters use PLC technology to capture the network signal that they subsequently amplify.
Q3: Can a WiFi repeater work from one house to another?
It is possible to do although everything depends on the weather and the type of device we are talking about. If we talk about two houses in an urban that are not far away, surely any device allows us to connect to the network of the house next door. But in case the houses are distant or problems begin to appear, such as interference or similar things, it is necessary to take step increase powerful or more powerful models.
Q4: Why my WiFi repeater does not give signal?
The first step we must answer of this question is to verify connected network properly. If the repeater has no network, you can hardly repeat anything. If the connection is correct, it will be time to see if the device (portable, mobile, etc.) is properly connected to the network by the repeater. If all this is correct, it may be advisable to verify the coverage next to the device and reorient the antennas, if the device allow it.
Q5: Which is better, a single band or dual band WiFi repeater?
This decision depends on the type of devices that we are going to connect to your network. A product that works in single band mode only releases the 2.4 Ghz band, while the dual ones also do it in the 5 Ghz band. So if you have devices that broadcast in this last band, you are probably more interested in betting on one of these products. Anyway, there is not much difference in how much they cost one or the other.
Q6: Why does the WiFi repeater get IP address?
When the WiFi repeater is not able to obtain an IP address, this usually happen due to problems with the connection. The most common is that the device cannot obtain that IP due to an incorrect password or a firewall problem (that prevents closing the connection and the assignment of the IP). If this does not solve the problem, it does not hurt to restart the whole connection process to see what happens.
Q7: Which is better, use a WiFi repeater or router?
The router is the input element of the network connection to any office. If its performance is adequate, we are probably interested in just buying a WiFi repeater, which can expand that network signal to those more remote areas. However, it is also true that this can be done by changing the current router to one with greater WiFi coverage. Anyway, this last option would only be recommended when the router does not work as well as it should.
Q8: What is a WiFi repeater with Ethernet output for?
The WiFi repeater with Ethernet output has one or more ports where we can connect those devices that need a wired socket to work. These ports are suitable, for example, to connect mass storage devices, Smart TV and other elements that may require this better connection.
Anyway, if you need high speed wifi network extender, a device with a Gigabit connection, which reaches 1,000 Mbps, will always be better than the Ethernet connection that does not usually exceed 100 Mbps.
